Discover the principles behind the adoption of technology innovation and the nature of the online learning environment. Then get tips for planning your online course, identifying resources and design guidelines.

Discuss the phases of design and development and models, motivating student-student interaction, and managing interaction. Get the latest information on copyright issues, assessment and evaluation.

Course Outline

Unit 1

Overview of the Online Instructional Environment

Internet basics

Principles behind the adoption of technology innovation

The nature of the online learning environment

Unit 2
Envisioning Your Online Course

Types of web courses

Preparing for the move to the Web

Analyzing your current course

Planning your web course

Identifying resources

Design guidelines

Unit 3
Developing a Web course

Team vs. Individual approach to development

Phases of design and development

Models of web courses

Unit 4
Online Interaction

Online collaboration

Creating an interactive environment

Motivating student-student interaction

Managing interaction

Unit 5
Issues in the Web Environment

Managing email

Facilitating discussions

Class size

Copyright

Assessment and Evaluation

About online learning

Online learning is a fun, enjoyable and very productive way to learn. Millions of people are learning online each year. You will engage with the instructor and other participants. You will get to know your instructor and other participants. You may make friends. It’s easy. It’s fun.

How the Course Works

It is easy to participate in your online course. After you register, you will be given a web address to go to get into your online classroom. You will have a password and use your email address and password to gain access.

Once inside the online classroom, here’s what you can expect.

Participate when you want

You can participate any time of day or evening. The online classroom is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
There are no live real-time requirements or meetings. You decide when you participate.
For the best learning, participants should log into the course on 2-3 different days of the week.

What you will do

Readings are assigned for each day from the textbooks provided at registration.

Have the option of accessing the online readings

Listen to the audio presentation for the Unit and view the slides

Engage in written online discussion with your instructor and other participants

The content (readings, audio lectures, slides) and self quizzes are accessible for the entire course, so you can work ahead, or go back and review again, at your convenience.

Discussion

The Discussion for each Unit lasts one week. All comments are made in writing and can be made at any time of the day or night.

Your instructor will log into the Discussion area at least once a day and answer questions, make comments, and respond to comments by you and the other participants.

We encourage you to make 2-3 comments each day to maximize your learning and enjoyment of the course.